President of Syria facts for kids

The president of Syria (Arabic: رئيس سوريا) is the head of state of Syria. They are vested with sweeping powers that may be delegated, at their sole discretion to their vice presidents. They appoint and dismiss the prime minister and other members of the Council of Ministers (the cabinet) and military officers.

The position has been vacant since 8 December 2024, when the previous president, Bashar al-Assad, was overthrown following the success of the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives.

Term of office

Article 88 of the 2012 constitution states that the president serves a seven year term and "can be elected for only one more successive term." Article 155 states that Article 88 applies to the president "as of the next presidential elections."

Eligibility criteria

On 31 January 1973, Hafez al-Assad implemented a new constitution, which led to a national crisis. Unlike previous constitutions, this one did not require that the president of Syria must be a Muslim, leading to fierce demonstrations in Hama, Homs and Aleppo organized by the Muslim Brotherhood and the ulama. They labeled Assad as the "enemy of God" and called for a jihad against his rule. Robert D. Kaplan has compared Assad's coming to power to "an untouchable becoming maharajah in India or a Jew becoming tsar in Russia—an unprecedented development shocking to the Sunni majority population which had monopolized power for so many centuries." The main objection to the constitution from demonstrators was that Islam was not specified as the state religion. In response to riots, the Syrian Constitution of 1973 was amended to stipulate that Islam was the religion of the president.

A new constitution was approved in February 2012. Article 84 of Syria's 2012 constitution requires that candidates for the presidency must:

1. Be at least 40 years old
2. Be Syrian by birth, of parents who are Syrians by birth
3. Enjoy civil and political rights and not convicted of a dishonorable felony, even if he was reinstated
4. Not be married to a non-Syrian wife
5. Have lived in Syria for 10 years continuously upon nomination

Further eligibility requirements in the 2012 constitution include:

• The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam; Islamic jurisprudence shall be a major source of legislation; The State shall respect all religions, and ensure the freedom to perform all the rituals that do not prejudice public order; The personal status of religious communities shall be protected and respected (Article 3)

• A candidate must be supported by at least 35 members of the People's Assembly (Article 85)

• The President cannot carry another nationality (Article 152)

Powers and removal

Powers

The President of Syria is constitutionally responsible for the following:

• Commander in Chief of the army and armed forces
• Representing Syria in international relations
• Developing and implementing national policy
• Appointing and dismissing the Prime Minister and Ministers
• Creating and overseeing the implementation of general state policy
• Vetoing or accepting laws
• Declaring a state of emergency
• Concluding international treaties
• Granting amnesty
• Granting honors and medals
• Dissolving the People’s Assembly
• Passing laws when the legislature is not in session or in emergency situations
• Submitting matters to binding national referendum
• Drafting laws

Removal

The president of Syria can be removed from the position under the following circumstances:

• Upon submission of resignation to the People’s Assembly
• At the end of 7-year term if not nominated for re-election, or second 7-year term if re-elected
• In the case of permanent incapacity or death
• Upon conviction for high treason by the Constitutional Court after proposal by one-third of Assembly and approval by two-thirds

Latest election

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Siria para niños